U.S. patent application number 13/990105 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-26 for device for monitoring the position and movement of a brake pedal.
This patent application is currently assigned to CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. OHG. The applicant listed for this patent is Harald Konig, Manfred Ruffer. Invention is credited to Harald Konig, Manfred Ruffer.
Application Number | 20130247557 13/990105 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44534345 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130247557 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Konig; Harald ; et
al. |
September 26, 2013 |
DEVICE FOR MONITORING THE POSITION AND MOVEMENT OF A BRAKE
PEDAL
Abstract
A device for monitoring the position and movement of a brake
pedal for motor vehicles, including a power assist brake actuating
unit. The brake actuating unit having a master cylinder fastened to
the brake power assist unit, a housing and at least one piston
displaceable in a linear manner in the master cylinder, and a
position indicator for monitoring the position of the brake pedal.
The position indicator transmits signals to a sensor element
connected to an electronic control unit. The position indicator is
provided on a support coupled to the movement of the control valve
housing or to the movable wall that is supported by the control
valve housing. The support is guided in a housing of a sensor
element, and the housing of the sensor element penetrates in a
vacuum-tight manner the power assist unit housing and the housing
of the master cylinder having a first housing section.
Inventors: |
Konig; Harald; (Ober-Morlen,
DE) ; Ruffer; Manfred; (Sulzbach, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Konig; Harald
Ruffer; Manfred |
Ober-Morlen
Sulzbach |
|
DE
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO.
OHG
Frankfurt
DE
|
Family ID: |
44534345 |
Appl. No.: |
13/990105 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
July 27, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2011/062899 |
371 Date: |
May 29, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
60/534 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60T 7/042 20130101;
F15B 15/20 20130101; B60Q 1/441 20130101; B60T 11/18 20130101; B60T
17/22 20130101; B60T 13/52 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
60/534 |
International
Class: |
F15B 15/20 20060101
F15B015/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 30, 2010 |
DE |
10 2010 062 163.3 |
Claims
1.-13. (canceled)
14. A device for monitoring the position and movement of a brake
pedal for use within a brake system for motor vehicles, comprising:
a brake actuating unit having a brake power assist unit having a
power assist unit housing that is divided into at least one vacuum
chamber and at least one working chamber by at least one axially
movable wall which can be influenced by a pneumatic differential
pressure, wherein the movable wall is embodied as a membrane disk,
which is supported on a control valve housing, and a membrane that
lies on said membrane disk, and said brake actuating unit having a
master cylinder that is fastened to the brake power assist unit and
comprises a housing and at least one piston which can be displaced
in a linear manner in said master cylinder, and a position
indicator for monitoring the position of the brake pedal, which
position indicator transmits signals to a sensor element that can
be connected to an electronic control unit, wherein the position
indicator is provided on a support that is coupled to the movement
of the control valve housing or to the movable wall that is
supported by the control valve housing, which support is guided in
a housing of the sensor element, and wherein the housing of the
sensor element penetrates in a vacuum-tight manner the power assist
unit housing and the housing of the master cylinder having a first
housing section.
15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the housing of the
sensor element is provided fastened to the housing of the master
cylinder by a fastening means in such a manner that it can be
dismantled.
16. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein a holding pin is
provided as the fastening means.
17. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein for sealing purposes
a sealing ring that encompasses the housing of the sensor element
is provided between the housing of the master cylinder and the
power assist unit housing.
18. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the housing of the
sensor element, which housing comprises a second housing section,
protrudes out of the brake actuating unit, wherein the sensor
element is arranged in the second housing section, on which a plug
connector element is formed in order to provide the connection to
the electronic control unit.
19. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein a Hall sensor is
provided as the sensor element and a magnet is provided as the
position indicator.
20. The device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the magnet is
arranged on a first end of the support and is connected to the
support by means of a pressed connection.
21. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the movement of the
position indicator is coupled to the movement of the membrane disk
of the movable wall.
22. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the movement of the
position indicator is coupled to the movement of the control valve
housing.
23. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein a further magnet is
provided for coupling the movement of the position indicator, which
magnet is arranged on a second end of the support and is connected
to the support by a pressed connection.
24. The device as claimed in claim 21, wherein a metal element is
provided on the control valve housing for coupling to the further
magnet.
25. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein a return spring is
provided for coupling the movement of the position indicator, which
return spring pre-stresses the support against the control valve
housing or the movable wall that is supported by the control valve
housing.
26. The device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the return spring is
supported at one end on a floor of a guide shaft of the housing of
the sensor element and at the other end on the support.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is the U.S. National Phase Application of
PCT/EP2011/062889, filed Jul. 27, 2011, which claims priority to
German Patent Application No. 10 2010 062 163.3, filed Nov. 30,
2010, the contents of such applications being incorporated by
reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Devices for monitoring the positions and movements of a
brake pedal are generally known.
[0003] DE 10 2008 020 A1, which is incorporated by reference,
discloses by way of an example a master cylinder arrangement having
a piston, in which arrangement the piston is permanently coupled to
a position sensing rod in order for the two parts to move in
conjunction with one another. The rod is guided in a displaceable
manner in a guide shaft in the cylinder housing, which guide shaft
extends parallel to a first cylinder bore and comprises a position
sensing member for sensing the position of said rod by means of a
position measuring sensor.
[0004] Furthermore, a brake power assist unit having a tensioning
bolt and an integrated device for switching a brake light is
disclosed in DE 103 23 655 A1, which is incorporated by reference,
which device comprises a sensor or switch that is fixed relative to
the brake power assist unit, which sensor or switch derives a
switching signal in response to a displacement of the membrane disk
relative to the tensioning bolt. A further embodiment of DE 103 23
655 A1 describes a sensor that is fixed in a sealed manner in a
receiving device, wherein the receiving device comprises an
electronic module and a mechanical module. The mechanical module
receives a telescopic sensing device for the membrane disk.
[0005] The known devices are regarded as disadvantageous with
regards to the assembly process and the number of components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore, an aspect of the invention provides a different
device for monitoring the positions and movements of a brake pedal,
which device is simple to assemble and comprises a reduced number
of components.
[0007] This aspect is achieved in accordance with the invention by
means of a device for monitoring the position and movement of a
brake pedal for use within a servo-controlled brake system for
motor vehicles, comprising a brake actuating unit having a brake
power assist unit having a power assist unit housing that is
divided into at least one vacuum chamber and at least one working
chamber by means of at least one axially movable wall that can be
influenced by a pneumatic differential pressure, wherein the
movable wall is embodied as a membrane disk that is supported on a
control valve housing and as a membrane that lies on said membrane
disk, and said brake actuating unit having a master cylinder that
is fastened to the brake power assist unit and comprises a housing
and at least one piston that can be displaced in a linear manner
within said master cylinder, and a position indicator for
monitoring the position of the brake pedal, which position
indicator transmits signals to a sensor element that can be
connected to an electronic control unit, wherein the position
indicator is provided on a support that is coupled to the movement
of the control valve housing or to the movable wall that is
supported by the control valve housing, which support is guided in
a housing of a sensor element, and wherein the housing of the
sensor element penetrates in a vacuum-tight manner the power assist
unit housing and the housing of the master cylinder having a first
housing section. This results in the advantage that during a
maintenance service the housing of the sensor element and the
position indicator can be replaced without a large expenditure.
[0008] The ability to replace the components can be achieved in
accordance with an advantageous development of the invention in a
simple manner, by virtue of the fact that the housing of the sensor
element is provided on the housing of the master cylinder by means
of a fastening means in such a manner that it can be
dismantled.
[0009] A holding pin can be provided as a fastening means in
accordance with an advantageous embodiment.
[0010] For sealing purposes a sealing ring that encompasses the
housing of the sensor element is preferably provided between the
housing of the master cylinder and the power assist unit
housing.
[0011] In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the
invention, the housing of the sensor element having a second
housing section protrudes out of the brake actuating unit, wherein
the sensor element is arranged in the second housing section, on
which a plug connector element is formed in order to provide the
connection to the electronic control unit. The sensor element can
therefore be connected to the electronic control unit in a simple
manner. Furthermore, the arrangement of the housing of the sensor
element has proven to be optimal with regard to packaging.
[0012] It is preferred that a Hall sensor is provided as a sensor
element and a magnet is provided as a position indicator. However,
it is also possible to measure the position using a different
method, for example an optical method or an inductive method.
[0013] In order to be able to easily compensate for the tolerances
of the components, a further advantageous embodiment of the
invention provides that the magnet is arranged on a first end of
the support and is connected to the support by means of a pressed
connection.
[0014] In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the
invention, the movement of the position indicator is coupled to the
movement of the membrane disk of the movable wall. An alternative
advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the movement
of the position indicator is coupled to the movement of the control
valve housing.
[0015] In this case, a further magnet can preferably be provided
for coupling the movement of the position indicator, which magnet
is arranged on a second end of the support and is connected to the
support by means of a pressed connection. This arrangement of the
further magnet additionally improves the compensation of the
component tolerances.
[0016] In order to implement the coupling to the control valve
housing, a metal element is provided on the control valve housing
for coupling to the further magnet in accordance with an
advantageous embodiment of the invention.
[0017] An alternative embodiment of the invention provides that a
return spring is provided for coupling the movement of the position
indicator, which return spring pre-stresses the support against the
control valve housing or the movable wall that is supported by the
control valve housing.
[0018] It is preferred that the return spring is supported at one
end on a floor of a guide shaft of the housing of the sensor
element and at the other end on the support.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The invention is best understood from the following detailed
description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.
Included in the drawings are the following figures:
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a known
brake actuating unit;
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a first
exemplary embodiment of a device in accordance with the
invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second
exemplary embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention,
and
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates the cross-sectional view of the first
exemplary embodiment in accordance with FIG. 2 in the case of the
adjustment of the magnet positions on the support.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a known
brake actuating unit 1 having a brake power assist unit 2 and a
master cylinder 3 of a motor vehicle brake system, which master
cylinder is fastened to said brake power assist unit, which motor
vehicle brake system can be used in an application in accordance
with the invention for monitoring the positions and movements of a
brake pedal.
[0025] A merely schematically indicated power assist unit housing 4
of the brake power assist unit 2 comprises a first housing half
shell 5 and a second housing half shell 6, which with the aid of
measures that use shaping technology, by way of an example using a
lance, are pressed together in a force-fitting manner. The power
assist unit housing 4 is divided into a working chamber 8 and a
vacuum chamber 9 by means of an axially movable wall 7 that can be
influenced by a pneumatic differential pressure. The axially
movable wall 7 comprises a membrane disk 10, which is deep-drawn
for example from a metal plate, and a flexible membrane 11 that
lies on said membrane disk, which membrane forms a roll membrane
between the outer periphery of the membrane disk 10 and the power
assist unit housing 4, which roll membrane comprises a rolled fold
31 and acts as a seal to seal the two chambers 8,9 with respect to
each other and to seal the two chambers 8,9 with respect to the
atmosphere.
[0026] A control valve 13 that can be actuated by means of an input
element 12 is housed in a control valve housing 14 which control
valve housing is supporting the movable wall 7 and which control
valve housing is guided in a sealed manner in the power assist unit
housing 4 and said control valve comprises a first seal seat 15
that is embodied on the control valve housing 14, a second seal
seat 16 that is embodied on a valve piston 17 that is connected to
the input element 12, and said control valve also comprises a valve
body 18 that cooperates with the two seal seats 15, 16, which valve
body is pressed against the valve seats 15, 16 by means of a valve
spring 19. As is evident in FIG. 1, the valve spring 19 is
supported on a retaining sleeve 20 that is arranged in the control
valve housing 14. The working chamber 8 can be connected to the
vacuum chamber 9 by means of a duct 21 that extends laterally in
the control valve housing 14.
[0027] Furthermore, the input element 12 is connected to a brake
pedal, not illustrated.
[0028] The brake force is conveyed to an actuating piston of the
master cylinder 3 of the brake system by way of a rubber elastic
reaction disk 22 that lies at an end face side on the control valve
housing 14 and a head flange 23 and a push rod that comprises a
mushroom-shaped head 25, which actuating piston is installed on the
vacuum-side end of the brake power assist unit 2. The input force
applied to the input element 12 is conveyed to the reaction disk 22
by means of the valve piston 17.
[0029] A return spring 26 that is illustrated schematically in the
drawing and is supported on the vacuum-side end wall of the power
assist unit housing 4 holds the movable wall 7 in the illustrated
starting position. In addition, a recuperating spring 27 is
provided, which recuperating spring is arranged between the input
element 12 and the retaining sleeve 20 and the force of which
prestresses the valve piston 17 or rather its valve seat 16 with
respect to the valve body 18.
[0030] In order to be able to connect the working chamber 8 to the
atmosphere upon actuation of the control valve 13, an approximately
radially extending duct 28 is finally embodied in the control valve
housing 14. The return movement of the valve piston 17 at the end
of a brake operation is limited in this case by means of a
transverse element 29 that lies in the release position of the
brake power assist unit illustrated in the drawing on a sliding
ring seal 30 that guides the control valve housing 14 in the power
assist unit housing 4 in a sealed manner. Alternatively, the
transverse element 29 can also stop directly against the power
assist housing unit 4.
[0031] The master cylinder 3, not illustrated in detail, which is
fastened to the brake power assist unit 2 and comprises a housing
32 and at least one piston that can be displaced in a linear manner
in said master cylinder, can by way of example be provided using a
so-called plunger type of construction having sealing collars that
are arranged fixed in position in the housing 32 and lie with a
sealing lip against a piston wall for the purpose of sealing the
pressure chambers.
[0032] The sealing lips of the sealing collars can be by-passed in
the direction of the wheel brakes, not illustrated, in the event of
a drop in pressure occurring between a pressure medium storage
container 33, which is arranged on the master cylinder 3, and the
wheel brakes.
[0033] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate in each case a cross-sectional view
of a first exemplary embodiment of a device in accordance with the
invention for monitoring the position and movement of a brake pedal
for use within a servo-controlled brake system for motor vehicles,
which device is primarily used to switch brake warning lights.
[0034] The device comprises a brake actuating unit 1 as is
illustrated by way of example in FIG. 1 and described above.
[0035] A position indicator 34 is furthermore provided for
monitoring the position and movement of the brake pedal, which
position indicator transmits signals to a sensor element 35. The
sensor element 35 can be connected to an electronic control unit,
not illustrated.
[0036] In order to be able to replace the sensor element 35 and/or
its housing 36 that is vacuum-tight and is made from a synthetic
material, and also the position indicator 34 during a maintenance
service without a large expenditure, the position indicator 35 in
the case of the two exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2
and 3 is provided on a support 37 that is coupled to the movement
of the control valve housing 14 or to the movable wall 7 that is
supported by the control valve housing 14, which support is guided
in a guide shaft 53 of the housing 36 of a sensor element 35.
[0037] As is evident in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 36 of the sensor
element 35 penetrates in a vacuum-tight manner the power assist
unit housing 4 and/or the second housing half shell 6 of said
housing and also a fastening flange 38 of the housing 32 of the
master cylinder 3 having a first housing section 39.
[0038] A resilient holding pin 40 is provided for fastening the
housing 36, which holding pin is inserted between the housing and
the fastening flange 38. For this purpose, the fastening flange 38
and the first housing section 39 comprise respectively a cut-out
41, 42 that corresponds approximately to the half form of the
holding pin 40, which cut-outs align when the housing 36 is
installed. The housing 36 can therefore be dismantled in a simple
manner and consequently also the position indicator 34 and/or the
support 37 can be replaced without a large expenditure. It is also
possible to use other suitable fastening means, for example a screw
inter alia, in place of the holding pin.
[0039] As is evident in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is possible in order to
seal the housing 36 to provide between the fastening flange 38 and
the housing of the brake power assist unit a sealing ring that
encompasses the housing 36, which sealing ring is arranged in a
cut-out 43 of the fastening flange 38 and lies against surfaces of
the first housing section 38, of the second housing half shell 6
and of the fastening flange 38.
[0040] Since the housing 36 of the sensor element 35 having a
second housing section 44 protrudes out of the brake actuating unit
1 and the sensor element 35 is arranged in the second housing
section 44, the connection to the electronic control unit can be
produced in a simple manner, in that a plug connecter element 45 is
embodied on the second housing section 44. Furthermore, the
arrangement of the housing 36 of the sensor element 35 has proven
to be optimal with regard to packaging.
[0041] A Hall sensor is provided as a sensor element 35 and a
magnet is provided as a position indicator 34. However, it is also
possible within the scope of the invention to implement the
position sensing process using a different method, for example an
optical method or an inductive method and to install corresponding
components.
[0042] The magnet as a position indicator 34 is arranged on a first
end 46 of the support 37 that is by way of example embodied from
synthetic material and comprises a cut-out 47, in order to receive
the magnet 34 by means of a pressed connection. This arrangement
has the advantage that component tolerances can be easily
compensated for and the magnet 34 can be fastened in the support 37
in a simple manner.
[0043] The differences between the two exemplary embodiments in
accordance with FIGS. 2 and 3 are mentioned hereinunder: In
accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention
illustrated in FIG. 2, the movement of the position indicator 34 is
coupled to the movement of the membrane disk 10 of the movable wall
7. In this case, a further magnet 48 is provided that is arranged
on a second end 49 of the support 37 in a cut-out 50 and is
connected to the support 37 likewise by means of a pressed
connection. This arrangement additionally improves the process of
compensating for the component tolerances. On the basis of which,
the tolerances of the individual components can be significant,
which in turn leads to an optimization of the costs.
[0044] The magnets 34, 48 are constructed identically, so that the
support 37 can be installed in a symmetrical manner. It is
therefore impossible to mount the support 37 incorrectly.
[0045] The alternative exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3
provides that a return spring 51 is provided for coupling the
movement of the position indicator 34, which return spring
pre-stresses the support 37 against the movable wall 7. The return
spring 51 is supported at one end on a floor 52 of the guide shaft
53 of the housing 36 of the sensor element 35 and at the other end
on the support 37 and/or at a shoulder that is provided on the
support 37.
[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates the cross-sectional view of the first
exemplary embodiment in accordance with FIG. 2 in the case of the
adjustment of the magnet positions on the support 37. While a
functional dimension F is determined and adjusted between the
mushroom-shaped head 25 and the power assist housing unit 4 and/or
the second housing half shell 6, the values for the gaps A and B
illustrated in FIG. 4 are also measured. As is evident in FIG. 4,
the gap A represents the distance between the magnet as position
indicator 34 and the second housing half shell 6. The gap B
represents the distance between the magnet as position indicator 34
and the membrane disk 10.
[0047] After the values of A and B have been determined, they are
both correspondingly adjusted by displacing the two magnets 34, 48
in the support 37. This adjustment reduces the tolerances of the
switching points of the sensor element 35.
[0048] Further alternative exemplary embodiments, not illustrated,
provide that the movement of the position indicator 34 is coupled
to the movement of the control valve housing 14. The further magnet
48 and/or the support 37 that is pre-stressed by the return spring
51 lies directly on the control valve housing 14.
[0049] In order to implement the coupling of the further magnet 48
to the control valve housing 14 that is embodied from a synthetic
material, a metal element is provided on said control valve
housing.
[0050] All described exemplary embodiments comprise the advantages
that the housing 36 and also the position indicator 34 can be
replaced during a maintenance service and small switching
tolerances are created as a result of adjusting the magnet
position. Furthermore, only a few components and only simple
components are required for the brake light switch function, which
components are easy to assemble. In addition, the components can
comprise significant tolerances.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0051] 1. Brake actuating unit [0052] 2. Brake power assist unit
[0053] 3. Master cylinder [0054] 4. Power assist unit housing
[0055] 5. First housing half shell [0056] 6. Second housing half
shell [0057] 7. Movable wall [0058] 8. Working chamber [0059] 9.
Vacuum chamber [0060] 10. Membrane disc [0061] 11. Membrane [0062]
12. Input element [0063] 13. Control valve [0064] 14. Control valve
housing [0065] 15. First seal seat [0066] 16. Second seal seat
[0067] 17. Valve piston [0068] 18. Valve body [0069] 19. Valve
spring [0070] 20. Retaining sleeve [0071] 21. Duct [0072] 22.
Reaction disc [0073] 23. Head flange [0074] 24. Push rod [0075] 25.
Mushroom-shaped head [0076] 26. Return spring [0077] 27.
Recuperating spring [0078] 28. Duct [0079] 29. Transverse element
[0080] 30. Sliding ring seal [0081] 31. Rolled fold [0082] 32.
Housing [0083] 33. Pressure medium storage container [0084] 34.
Position indicator [0085] 35. Sensor element [0086] 36. Housing
[0087] 37. Support [0088] 38. Fastening flange [0089] 39. Housing
section [0090] 40. Holding pin [0091] 41. Cut-out [0092] 42.
Cut-out [0093] 43. Cut-out [0094] 44. Housing section [0095] 45.
Plug connector element [0096] 46. End [0097] 47. Cut-out [0098] 48.
Magnet [0099] 49. End [0100] 50. Cut-out [0101] 51. Return spring
[0102] 52. Floor [0103] 53. Guide shaft [0104] 54. Sealing ring
* * * * *